Miguel Cardoso, the head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns, has spoken out following their heartbreaking defeat in the CAF Champions League final, offering a strong reminder to those who doubted his team’s journey and growth this season. Although Sundowns lost 3-2 on aggregate to Egyptian side Pyramids, Cardoso took the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the team and the tough path they travelled to reach the final.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Cardoso pointed out that Sundowns overcame top African football giants on their road to the final. “I just like to remind you that to get to the final, we played Al Ahly, who is still the first in the CAF ranking, we beat them in the semi-final,” he said. Al Ahly, a powerhouse in African football, were the reigning champions and had been dominant in recent seasons.
He continued by highlighting that his team also managed to defeat Esperance, the second-best ranked team in CAF, further underlining the strength of the opponents they overcame. “We played Esperance, that is the second in the ranking of CAF – and when we arrived in the club, it was struggling to pass the group stage of the Champions League,” he said.
Cardoso took charge of Sundowns during a time when the club was battling to advance from the group stages. Despite being placed in a difficult group that included the likes of Raja Casablanca and ASFAR, his squad showed resilience. “We had an immediate tough game against Raja Casablanca in a very tough group, with ASFAR, and we were able to make the knockout stages,” he added.
He credited his players for their dedication and performance throughout the competition. “Throughout the tournament, our players were able to show a good commitment, a good attitude, and good quality.”
Although the title slipped through their fingers in the final, Cardoso’s remarks serve as a powerful reminder of how far Sundowns have come under his leadership.
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